The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-12-04
THE HARPER TRIAL.
Further Facts Concerning the Wrecking OF
the Fidelity and the Big Wheat Deal.

CINCINNATI, Dec 3.-E. L. Harper led his
ten-year-old son into court with him this morn
ing. and the lad sat beside his father without
realizing the solemnity OF the situation.
Briggs Swift was re-examined, but made no
new points.
w. Fl. Chatfeld aud Sol P. Kineon, directors
OF the bank. testified that the board did not au-
thorize the issue of certificates of deposit to the
Chemical National Bank of New York, nor the
payment of drafts of Chicago grain-brokers.
The board had never been consulted with refer
ence to issues of any certificates Of deposit.
The most breezy witness thus far heard
was Albert P. Gahr who testified that he
secretary of the Swift Iron and Steel Com
pany, and secretary and treasurer of the River
side Iron and Steel Company; that the last
named company had no assets when il WAS or
ganized, and never acquired any, yet II pro-
cured call-loan from the Fidelity National
Bank of $780, 900 on its own note. Endorsed by
E. L. Harper. He detailed the circumstances OF
his trip to Chicago. June ID, in company with
Wiltshire. He said he was instructed by Harper
to &C, and was told that Wiltshire would get
aboard at Cumminsvlle with 5000 000 which
witness was to take charge of and deliver TO
Wiltshire in Chicago, if Wiltshire could make an
arrangement with the Chicago parties. He gave
the package to Wiltshire in Chicago.
Richard Smith, of the Commercial Gazette,
testified that he went with Briggs Swift, the
president, to see Harper. and to ask him about
the wheat deal. He said he was not in the deal;
that he was not using the funds of the bank in
the deal, and that he was not dscounting notes
to raise funds for a stress Thereupon Mr..
Smith wrote an editorial which was published
in the Commercial Gazette, saying that the
officers of the Fidelity gave assurance of the
soundness of the bank.
j. b. Stewart trustee in the assignment of e.
L. Harper testified that he found the assets
valued at 800. 900. Harper's liabilities were
over So 0O0 600
J. IL Waters. general book-keeper, told OF
New York draft that put $500. 900 to Harper's
credit. He ordered by Harper to conceal
put out 81 000 900 to the Chemical National Bank
for discount.
The trial, which began Nov 90, has moved
with remarkable celebrity from the beginning.
The jury impaneled the first day, and
the testimony has been brought out rapidly every
day since. The government now has presented
the main features of its without making
made by the newspapers last summer. whom the
crash came It has shown that Harper ran the
bank; that Briggs Swift. the president was COM
hsors sss b.n the
in charge by the government It has
show clearly that Harper was in the wheat deal
with all the resources he could command
as vice president of national bank which. in
March last. showed TO the government exam
liner, assets exceeding So, DOC. 900. Wiltshire the
active broker, has told his story. kershaw has
told that the losses in the wheat deal reached
LAG, S02 There has been no hint as
to line of Defense except that which crops out
in the cross-examination of Wiltshire and Sarfey.
where effort is apparent to make out that
these men also are equally guilty. What good
come from sm.rchnR others is not apparent.
The court Judges jackson and Sage, keeps the
machinery moving, and the end may be expected
much sooner than was at first anticipated.